Although articulated buses were popular in Western Europe even since
mid of 60’s, in Czech Republic was technical progress not so fast. In early
60’s prototype of first Czech articulated bus Škoda 706 RTO-K was built,
but this vehicle never comes into batch production. Later, another articulated
bus Karosa ŠMK 16.5 was built, but production was stopped after 20 vehicles.
From big cities, mainly from capital Praha (Prague) was a strong demand
for high-capacity buses. Especially at this time tramway network was shortened,
metro was not yet service. Because Czech industry was unable to built bus
of this type, there started search for another bus producer.
At that time, in states of Central and Eastern Europe that were joined
into (communist) Council of Mutual Economical Help, a Hungarian company
Ikarus was chosen as only one big bus producer. Serial production of articulated
bus Ikarus 280 ran already here since 1971 and these buses were exported
into varied countries of Central and East Europe. In 1972, one of buses
of this type was tested in Praha, but was returned because of weak engine,
that didn’t fit well into hilly Praha’s routes.
Around year 1976, there was really serious situation about urban traffic
in Praha, because standard buses were unable to handle high amount of passengers.
At that time, slightly modified version of Ikarus 280 (280.08) was tested
again, and tests were successful at this time, so decision was taken to
order these buses for service in Praha’s urban transport.
In end of 1977, first 20 buses Ikarus
280.08 were delivered (they received No.s 4001-4020). They were stored
in depot Kačerov and Klíčov and were prepared for regular service.
All 20 buses were standard 4-door articulated buses, painted in very
dark red livery.
Their big day came at 16th
January 1978 where they started to operate on line No.190 between metro
station Budějovická and Jižní Město, big new (and outrageous) housing estate
on south of city. One week after, 23rd January they started
to operate on line 177 and on 1st February 1978 on line 206.
Their service was a big success, because they were able to transfer
50% more passengers than standard buses, no matter that cost per passenger
was higher by 20% than on standard bus.
Next batch of buses was purchased in 1979 (4021-4087), and since that
time every year 50-90 new buses was purchased. Since 3rd September
1979 were bus lines 177,189,190 and 206 served exclusively by these buses.
In 1985, 315 buses (No.4001-4334, few buses scrapped or destroyed) were
in service on 25 lines. All these buses were almost unique, quite rare
was only bus No.4071, back half of this bus was after accident replaced
by 1-door back half from interurban version from Ik.280.10, so this bus
had 3 doors only. Next batch from 1986 (starting at 4335) was painted in
light red livery instead of original dark red. Since 1987, modified version
of Ikarus 280.08 was delivered, main change was slightly different engine.
At this time, technical quality of this bus was already out-of-date.
In end of 80’s new Ikarus 435 was shortly tested but not purchased. Last
batch of new Ikarus 280 buses was purchased in 1990 (4523-4592), really
last one No.4593 was purchased in February 1991.
Karosa, Czech national bus producer finally released its articulated
bus Karosa B-741, based on standard B-731/732 bus in early 90’s. First
three buses were of this type were delivered in Praha in end of 1991 (6001-6003)
and their service started at New Year 1992. Slowly, but constantly started
process of replacement of these buses.
In 1992 another 19 vehicles were purchased. These were not new, but
built in 1986-1989 for Pardubice, city approx.100 east from Praha. They
received again No.s 4001-4019.
In that year there was about 380 buses of this type in service, in
end of 1994 only 270, in 1997 about 110. New Karosa B-741, later also new
Karosa B-941 were more popular, cheaper in service, and also were more
suitable for Praha’s hilly routes.
At the beginning of year 1999 only approx.35 buses sing their swan
song. In March started delivery of 30 new buses Karosa B-941E (modified
version with lower floor than sooner), and this means end of Ikarus 280
buses.
Fixed date of final withdrawal was not announced yet, but there is
expected to be before 30th June 1999 (during holidays there
is always lower amount of articulated buses required). Some nostalgic journeys
are prepared, but is clear that after almost 22 years of service only one
Ikarus 4382 will be preserved in Muzeum mestske dopravy Praha.
There is hard to judge past of these buses. Although out-of-date, slow,
expensive in service, there is still need to keep in mind that without
these buses will be impossible regular service in Praha. Buses received
many nicknames, and were frequently used. Let’s hope, that new replacement
will be successful too…
Overview of delivery:
| 1977 | 4000-4019 | |
| 1979 | 4020-4087 | |
| 1980 | 4088-4132 | |
| 1981 | 4133-4163 | |
| 1982 | 4164-4193 | |
| 1983 | 4194-4224 | |
| 1984 | 4225-4304 | |
| 1985 | 4305-4334 | |
| 1986 | 4335-4354 | light red livery since that time |
| 1987 | 4355-4377 | |
| 1988 | 4378-4422 | |
| 1989 | 4423-4522 | |
| 1990 | 4523-4592 | |
| 1991 | 4593 | |
| 1992 | 4001-4019 | from DP Pardubice |